He gives a nod. “And now they’ll be teammates on the Owls.”
“Yep.”
“He hasn’t taken his eyes off you.”
My stomach dips. “Yeah, because we keep looking over at him.”
“It’s not that. He’s been watching you,” he says, with that serious expression that terrifies people. I follow his line of vision and see Finn staring right back like he’s unfazed. I wish I could slap him silly. Titus looks at me again. “I’d be cautious with that one.”
“I…” I feel myself frown. “There’s nothing to be cautious about.”
“That family has a difficult time accepting the word ‘no,’” he says. “And from the looks of it, you’re what he wants.”
I bristle. “Finn’s not like that.”
The words leave my mouth before I can stop them, and Titus glances at me again. This time, he looks at me like he’s staring into my soul. If anyone can, it would probably be him. I don’t back down or look away, though. Finn might be an asshole who is demanding and dead-set on getting what he wants, but I know if I ever said the word ‘no’ to him, he’d immediately stop what he was doing. Iknowit.
“He’d never force himself on anyone,” I say, licking my lips.
“I didn’t say he would. I haven’t heard much about Finn, but I know enough about the Barlow men. When they’re determined to have something, or someone…” Titus’ brows furrow. “I just don’t want you opening yourself up for another doomed relationship. You’re too great of a woman to be some man’s mistress.”
My heart twists at that. Thankfully, my mother shouts my stepfather’s name. He gives my arm a light squeeze as he walks away. I breathe a little easier when he walks away, but as I walk toward the group, I remember Damian’s warning the night I met Finn. It makes me wonder what the hell it is they see when they look at him, at us. It hits me when I sink deeper into my memories and remember Tate once telling me that families in that social circle have certain expectations. Having over a million followers may bring lucrative opportunities and help expand my financial portfolio, but it doesn’t change my background or last name.
I push those thoughts away. There’s no denying the attraction between me and Finn. He’s the opposing pole of a magnet I can’t seem to pull away from. Even now, when he’s deep in conversation with Livie, Dame, and Hamilton, I can’t look away. But ultimately, none of that matters. Once we sleep together, we’re done, and even if there was a small chance we weren’t, it could never be forever. At the sight of movement in my peripheral vision, I tear my gaze from him and watch as Tiago jogs over to me. From the look on his face, I can tell the call didn’t go how it was supposed to.
“What happened?”
He shrugs, exhaling. “The call wasn’t terrible.”
“No?” I ask, heart still in my throat.
“She’ll need to do a few more sessions of chemo, but they say it’s gone,” he responds, eyes still sad. “I’m going to stay with her for a couple of days next week just in case.”
I reach for his hand, squeezing it in solidarity. I hate the sadness in his eyes. Even though he’s already been told his mom is going to be okay—thanks to the early detection of her cancer—I understand why it’s hard for him to see her that way.
“You’re a good kid, Tiago Lewis.” I offer him a small smile. “If I ever have a kid, I hope he’s just like you.”
At that, a slow grin appears on his face. “I’m willing to give you one.”
I laugh, taking my hand back and shoving him playfully as he laughs. When we reach the group, Livie hands me a berry-flavored seltzer and taps acheerswith hers before we take a sip.
“What’d Titus say?” she asks.
“Nothing, just his usual show-of-support speech.” I take another sip and look at the guys who are standing around Dame talking about restoring an old Mustang.
We all follow Dame toward the table. When he sees me there, he gives a nod. “Did you tell my dad Tate’s not welcome at the fundraiser?”
“She’s too nice to suggest that,” Livie says, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
“I’m an adult,” I say, taking another sip of my drink.
“Adults know how to ask for help,” Livie responds.
I roll my eyes. “Moving on.”
She laughs and changes the subject to this year’s new uniform.
“By the way,” Tiago says. “You lost the other day, so I’ll be seeing you in my uniform soon.”
